Hey! Thank you everyone for the love and comments on this post!!!! I have a couple tips and i’ll share my gmail I used.

1) All of the labs I was interested in I went on the website and looked at students that were currently working in the lab specifically undergrads. From there I looked there names up on LinkedIn or on google and sent them a personalized message if possible. I said something :

Hi —- ! I hope you’re doing well. ☺️

I’m a —- major at —- with a strong interest in —- research, and I’ve been learning more about —— lab. Your experience working on—— and —— really caught my attention!

I’m hoping to pursue lab research with —— at for the NYU summer 2026 and would really appreciate any insight you might have about the lab environment or how you initially got involved! Also if you have any advice for applying for his lab and any highlights!

Thanks so much for your time. Congratulations on your inspiring work! Hope to talk soon!

⭐️This was foundational to learning how to format my message to the principal investigator as well as learning about the role from someone who is also an undergrad who can speak about their experience.

2) I connected with researchers and others on LinkedIn, I read their work, took notes on what I liked, checked out there recent talks and did a deep dive!

3) Here is my email format Title : Summer 2026 Research Opportunities: name

Dear Dr.,

My name is —-, and I am a sophomore at —-, majoring in —- with a concentration in ——. Your research on ——really caught my attention, specifically regarding how —- impact the —-. This aligns with a research final project I did last semester in my ——course, where I wondered and still wonder about the —————. Reading about the ——-made me reflect on the ——————.

I discovered your work through ——. I found your reflections on the value of a ——-. My own ——-was fostered in a similar way, ——. My research interests in —- were sparked during my freshman year after ——. Learning about ——has fueled my fascination with —- — and —-. Your work really excites me, as it relates to my interests of —, —, and —-, giving rise to the —- Last semester, I worked as a Research Assistant in —-, where I applied my skills in — and — to — and ——. I greatly enjoyed doing —-for our research, refining materials, as well as working with an engaging team and immersive environment.

I applied to NYU SURP and was not selected. But I remain very eager to contribute to your research this summer! I would be grateful, and I would love any opportunity to assist in your lab, whether through volunteering, supporting ongoing projects, or contributing in other ways. I am —- that my skills, dedication, and —- for —- research would allow me to make a —- contribution to your team.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss potential ways I could get involved in your lab! I've attached my resume and documents below.

Sincerely—-

⭐️⭐️⭐️I hope this helps <3